He had been charged before a special sitting of the District Court on Sunday and remanded on bail.

Judge O'Brien was told that Mr Boersma had been in the District Court at Anglesea Street at 10.30am yesterday, but had left the building after informing his solicitor that he was feeling unwell and that the stress had become too much for him.

Mr Boersma could not then be located when his case was first called. The matter was left stand but he was still not in court when the case was called for a second time. Judge O'Brien then instructed Insp Billy Duane that he was issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr Boersma.

Defence counsel Frank Buttimer told the court that certain medical information had come to light about his client and that there were "some concerns in relation to that".

He said: "He (the accused) did attend court at 10.30am but he was under a degree of distress and medically unwell."

Mr Boersma is a garda stationed in Celbridge, Co Kildare, but he has been on health leave over recent months and has been living recently in Carrigaline.

He was eventually brought before the court later in the afternoon, after being arrested in Crosshaven. Judge Leo Malone was told that Mr Boersma had a long history of alcohol dependency and now planned to attend a special treatment programme, which is expected to last for 12 weeks. The judge adjourned the case for mention tomorrow, in order to confirm that Mr Boersma has entered the programme. The matter is then expected to be further adjourned. Gardai will await instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.